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Investigating the mechanism of uniform Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanostructures synthesis by a one-pot sol–gel method

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel, hybrids and solution chemistries
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Abstract

Monodispersed Ag@SiO2 core-shell structure nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized at room temperature via a one-pot sol–gel synthesis method, and the synthesizing procedure is observed over reaction time in order to investigate the formation mechanism. Ostwald ripening of silver (Ag) core NPs and silica (SiO2) shells during synthesis of core-shell NPs proceeds in parallel to reaction time. Uniform and stable Ag@SiO2 core-shell NPs are formed at 48 h of reaction time. The hydrolysis rate of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) plays a critical role in the growth of Ag NPs and the final structure of Ag@SiO2 core-shell NPs. The formation mechanisms of single-core and multicore Ag@SiO2 core-shell NPs are discussed in relation to synchronous Ag core and SiO2 shell growth. Optimal reaction conditions for critical parameters (water volume and TEOS and ascorbic acid concentrations) are also determined.

One-pot synthesis of Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles based on synchronous growth of Ag core and SiO2 shell.

Highlights

  • Synchronous growth mechanism of Ag core and SiO2 shell for monodispersed Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles was suggested on the base of Ostwald ripening theory.

  • Optimized synthetic parameters for monodispersed Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles.

  • Uniform and stable Ag@SiO2 core-shell NPs were formed at 48 h of reaction time when the hydrolysis rate of TEOS is moderate.

  • Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles with multicores were formed at a slower hydrolysis rate, and the Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles with different core sizes were formed at a faster hydrolysis rate.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the BK21 plus program of the Ministry of Education and Human-Resource Development, South of Korea; and a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government, South Korea (MSIP) (BRL No. 2015042417, 2016R1A2B4014090).

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  1. Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Materials Development, College of Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, South Korea

    Mohammad Jamir Ahemad & Yeon-Tae Yu

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Ahemad, M.J., Yu, YT. Investigating the mechanism of uniform Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanostructures synthesis by a one-pot sol–gel method. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 96, 679–689 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05392-y

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